Tim Bresnan provided England with a boost on Thursday in Brisbane when he made an encouraging return from injury to increase his chance of being fit for the second Test next week.

Bresnan took four for 31 off 10 overs and hit a half century for the England Performance Programme against a Queensland Second XI as he stepped up his recovery after a three-month lay off with a stress fracture in his back sustained during the fourth Ashes Test in Durham.

Ashley Giles, the England one-day coach who is with the Performance Programme, confirmed after play at the Allan Border Field that Bresnan will link up with the senior team in Adelaide on Sunday. He could return for that match but perhaps is more likely to be fit for the third Test in Perth on Dec 13.

Australia’s captain and coach, Michael Clarke and Darren Lehmann, watched Bresnan bowl on Thursday and will be noting his progress although his success was against modest opposition.

Bresnan has a good record against Australia and his ability to reverse the old ball was particularly key in two Test wins in Melbourne and Sydney three years ago.

Chris Tremlett appeared to lack pace in the first Test at the Gabba and rarely posed any threat as the first change seamer. Reverse swing could be a factor in Adelaide where the outfield has recently been relaid and could abrade the ball as it gets old.

“It is always good to see someone like Bresnan back up and fit and firing. He bowled well today with decent pace and control and to pick up wickets was a bonus,” said GIles. “The most important thing for us was he came through the day strongly.”

In Alice Springs England dodged the unseasonal rain to train for two hours. They will name the team for the match against the Chairman’s XI half an hour before the toss on Friday but the fact James Anderson, Tremlett, Stuart Broad and Kevin Pietersen did not practice is a strong indication they will be rested. Alastair Cook netted on Thursday but may also miss the match while Graeme Swann took part in practice and is likely to play as he looks to rediscover his rhythm.

The forecast is for the match is for temperatures in the high 90s fahrenheit making it a test of stamina for the bowlers in particular.

The match is an opportunity for the trio of batsmen - Gary Ballance, Jonny Bairstow and Ben Stokes - to take the spot vacated by Jonathan Trott.

Stokes has batted just once on tour when he made four against the Western Australia Chairman’s XI in Perth a month ago. But he has an advantage over his rivals with his bowling which could be an added extra for the four-man attack on a flat pitch in Adelaide next week.

“Obviously, there's going to be a place up for grabs, and this game does come at a good time for us for the selection reasons," said Stokes. “There's three guys trying to take the chance to get that spot, and these days are a good chance for one of us to put our hands up and get in there for Adelaide."

A year ago Stokes was sent home from a Lions tour to Australia for breaking the team curfew and late night drinking. He worked hard last summer to convince Andy Flower he has changed and can be trusted on the hardest tour of all.

"I think, when I did get back [from Australia last winter], I set out to put everyone's mind right - making sure that they knew that I did want to play for England and get back into the team. I think I've done the right things and gone about it the right way. Here I am today, so it's brilliant."